This past Friday night I was headed home after linking with the homie 4-Ize when I jumped on Twitter to see “R.I.P. Gil Scott-Heron” posted on somebodies page. My first thought was PLEASE let this be a rumor… Unfortunately about 30 mins later I found out it was official.

I first discovered Gil Scott when I was in high school. By then he had already amassed a nice catalog of albums for me to decipher and study. GSH, along with the Last Poets, and James Brown all represent what an Emcee was pre Hip Hop. Bold, Thought-Provoking, Entertaining, Intelligent, and great with words. I found out years later as I got older than even my father is a big fan of Gil’s work.

I am extremely fortunate to even have gotten a chance to meet GSH a few years back while he was in ATL. I walked up too him and saluted him. I told him my name, that I was emcee, and thanked him for not only inspiring me, but for not being afraid to speak his mind, and share his true feelings. That’s something I strive to do as an artist everytime I record a new song. He smiled, and thanked me for keeping an open ear. Gil was super cool, very laid back. I asked could I take a picture with him to show my pops and…

So with all that said, I was deeply saddened to hear the news of Gil’s passing. He was only 62 years old. I also didn’t see a lot of info about his passing in the news or media. I guess he was right, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”

Rest In Peace Gil Scott Heron… Thank You For Your Contribution To Black Music.

A couple of nights ago the homie DJ Rasta Root posted some footage via Facebook of Jax (R.I.P.) during his trip to Japan. Jax traveled to Japan with Rasta Root and Phife (ATCQ) to promote the 12inch that featured “4 Da Cream.”

I remember being around Jax and hearing the story of how they drove all the way to Detroit to re-record or mix “4 Da Cream” with Zo. Jax also had a song “We Can Do This” on the NBA Ballers video game. Then the next thing you know, BONG, he was being invited to Japan by Roots and Phife to perform on several dates.

This footage has never been seen before. Shouts to DJ Rasta Root for posting this for us to see after all these years.

To celebrate their 5 year anniversary, Boston sneaker boutique Bodega teamed up with Nike Sportswear to design several pairs Footscapes. The pair will be known as the “Night Cat” Pack. If you check out the tongue area, you can see the cat eye shapes. Other than that not really sure why they called these the “Night Cat” Pack, (Anybody Know?) but I will say they are pretty FRESH! If your not in Boston and can’t get to Bodgea, you can catch these in ATL at Wish tomorrow.

What I understand these babies will be pretty limited, so you won’t see these at your local Champs and Foot Locker. Shouts to Oliver Mak and Dan at Bodega Boston.

Caught this one today via Facebook. Shouts to DJ Pocket getting his video director game on.

New video from ATL’s own Clan Destined. The song is “All In It” featuring guest emcee Methuzullah. Taken from Clan D’s new Self Titled album available now.

The year 1995 was the first time I ever heard of New Orleans rapper Mystikal. I caught one of his videos on Rap City and went out bought the cassette single for I think (out that boot camp / Ya’ll ain’t ready yet). I always thought he had outstanding energy and charisma on every record. It wasn’t until I heard “Here I Go” that I started really checking for dude. “Mind Of Mystikal” showed a lot of potential. By the time “Tarantula,” and “Let’s Get Ready” came out though I thought surely this dude was really about to blow up. Unfortunately Mystikal had a run in with the law, and was incarcerated for 6 years.

With time served, Mystikal is a free man again, and looks like he plans on getting right back into the music game. The good folks from Pyramid West TV shoot me this video interview with Mystikal speaking on his new mixtape called, “Fish Grease”, the new sound for his music, gaining clarity while in prison, and his current diet and health regimen. He even breaks out into MJ’s Thriller dance routine during a live performance. Check it out.

There’s a new Hip Hop supergroup and it goes by the name of Random Axe. The group consists of Detroit Emcee Guilty Simpson, Detroit Emcee & Producer Black Milk, and Brooklyn Emcee Sean Price.

Last month the 411 Brand celebrated their 19 year anniversary. The 411 Knowledge & Entertainment Show was created in 1992 by John Thomas, as a way to bridge the gap between successful individuals and a generation striving to become successful (Youth). Over the years they’ve toured metro Atlanta schools, as well as the U.S., inviting musicians, actors/actresses, etc to share their stories. Some of the past 411 speakers have included: LL Cool J, Notorious BIG, Monica, Outkast, Nas, Jermaine Dupri, Goodie, Mob, Afeni Shakur, Lammon Rucker, Usher, Da Brat and many more.

In honor or 19 years the 411 Brand had a special awards ceremony at the Nike Store in Atlanta, to honor some of the past host who have gone on to do great things within the Atlanta community. The honorees included: Chaka Zulu, DJ Jelly, Ryan Cameron (V-103), Jennifer Walker, and Carol Blackmon.

Check out this video clip documenting some of the greatness the 411 Knowledge & Entertainment show has brought to the youth of the ATL.

BIG SHOUTS to DJ Kemit and our Spread Love family. DJ Kemit will be celebrating his birthday tomorrow at 595 North with special guest host Phife of A Tribe Called Quest. The Kaos Effect has a couple passes to give away to get you in the place. BUT as always we’ll only give them to those who know their stuff. Scroll below for the DJ Kemit Spread Love Trivia.

Tomorrow | Saturday May 21st | Spread Love Presents “We’ve Got The Jazz” at 595 North. Celebrating Hip Hop’s Love Affair With Jazz.

Spread Love joins forces with The Atlanta Jazz Festival’s 31 Days of Jazz to celebrate illuminate the renewal of jazz: history, culture, and music, synthesized with the influences of hip-hop. This event brings together leaders of the burgeoning jazz community with hip hop artists at the forefront of the cultural resurgence of live music.

Emcees: Kev Choice, Dashill & Lyric Jones. Featuring live band: Darryl Reeves Quintet w/ Jamal Ahmad. DJ Kemit on the wheels and Hosted by Phife Dawg (ATCQ).

Live performances of Jazzy Hip Hop Classics From: Digable Planets, Gangstarr, Herbi Hancock, De La Soul, ATCQ, Miles Davis, Black Sheep, Pete Rock & CL Smooth & more.

& DJ KEMIT’S OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY GETDOWN!!

Doors open at 8 pm // Show starts at 9 pm

595 North Event Venue ||| 595 North Ave, NW Atlanta 30318

If you don’t win tickets. You might want to head over to Moods Music in Little Five points and grab you an advance ticket for $10. Cover $15 with RSVP and $20 at the door.

FOR MORE INFORMATION BE SURE TO VISIT EXPERIENCE SPREAD LOVE

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF… TRIVIA.

Like I said we have a few passes for Spread Love tomorrow night at 595 (Brick Yard) in ATL. Answer the question correctly and you’ll be in the building. POST YOUR ANSWER IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW. Be sure to enter a VALID e-mail address in the info field before you post your answers so we can contact you. (Your e-mail will not be visible to anyone other than the site admin). Please only answer the question if you live in the Atlanta area and can attend this event. Thanks.

So here we go… PLEASE ONLY ANSWER ONE QUESTION!

Question #1: What Grammy-award winning group was DJ Kemit a part of?
Question #2: What city is DJ Kemit originally from?
Question #3: What college did DJ Kemit Graduate from?

Also here’s some theme music from DJ Kemit himself to get you in the mood for tomorrow.

BIG Shouts to the homie Photo Rob!!! For those that don’t know Robert Adam Mayer or better known as Photo Rob has been documenting the New York City Underground Hip Hop scene for the past few years now. I first met him during a trip to NYC I want to say at the Rock Steady Anniversary concert in Jersey (but I could be wrong). Then every time I would come back to NYC we would bump into each other. Photo Rob is the coolest dude ever! Just a real genuine, easy going, kind of guy. I was in NYC for the CMJ Music Conference back in 2009 and me and Rob got a chance to link and knock out a photo shoot. One of the photos ended up becoming the cover piece for the “Bad Bad Man” digital single I released last summer.

Anywho… earlier today Photo Rob hit me off with a documentary about him called “Don’t Get Too Close Cause You Might Get Shot” so of course I had to share with you all.

And even cooler you can watch the whole piece via You Tube. Gotta love technology. So make sure you check this joint out. Photo Rob might of took one your favorite Album Covers photos and you didn’t even know it.

A profile on NYC photographer Robert Adam Mayer and his work documenting the New York hip hop scene. Features 9th Wonder, Buckshot, Torae, Homeboy Sandman, DJ Eclipse, Fresh Daily, Von Pea, Peter Agoston and Wes Jackson